Lost Mines and Treasures of the Pacific Northwest

by Ruby El Hult

Book by Ruby El Hult

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

Reviews

[John E · Rating 3 out of 5]

With 51 stories of forgetful pioneers one wonders about the successes. It sure didn't sound like a great time in American history as the West was flooded by fortune seekers who seem to have forgotten most of what they had ever learned about the world. Still it was interesting enough to read. Maybe what the Northwest needs is a Geraldo Riveria to solve these "mysteries."

[R.J. Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad bought this book when I was a kid. I still have his worn copy on my shelf, and I have shared it with my own kids and hope they may share it with theirs. Not only does this book offer some fascinating legends of lost treasures and mines in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, but it gives a jumping-off point for studying American history beginning with Lewis and Clark. My dad took my family on road trips to visit the locations in this book, which helped to make the history lessons more relevant.

The author does a great job of explaining her research and the historical context of the legends. It is both a work of history, and a collection of tales and legends. I was also able to glean a few moral lessons from her work as well (for instance, the fate of the prosperous town of Randolf during Oregon's gold rush).

I don't know if this is what the author intended, but she definitely proves that "treasure hunting" makes history fun!

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting compilation of lost treasures of the west coast. It was written over fifty years ago, but I googled some of the stories and they are still compelling today. The author has a folksy style that makes this a fun read, especially if you are familiar with the places mentioned in the book. She presents the mysteries chronologically, so those interested in the history of this region might also find this book interesting.